Flossmoor District 161 will begin registration from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, for the 2026-27 school year kindergarten class. Kindergarten registration is for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2026. Parents can register their child March 3 at their nearest school. Parents should[Read More…]
Education
H-F senior awarded SIU Chancellor’s Scholarship
Akayla Ross, a senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, was surprised to walk into a celebration in her honor Thursday, Feb. 19, where she was awarded a scholarship to Southern Illinois University valued at $108,000. Agnes Szemborski, assistant vice chancellor for external relations at SIU, came to H-F to present the[Read More…]
District 161 board expects to hire search firm to find next superintendent
Shortly after Superintendent Dana Smith announced he will step down at the end of the 2025–2026 school year, the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education began laying out its plan to find his replacement. Smith made the announcement during the Feb. 10 board meeting and confirmed it in a Feb. 13[Read More…]
H-F High adjusts its schedule, but students raise concerns about the change
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is changing it scheduling — making periods longer with classes meeting fewer days each week. It’s confusing to parents and students, but administrators believe once the schedule is in place for the 2026-27 academic year students will find they have more time for the redesigned curriculum that[Read More…]
More than a thousand H-F students walk out, protesting ICE
More than 1,000 Homewood-Flossmoor High School students walked out of their classrooms on Friday, Feb. 13, to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students walked alongside Kedzie Avenue and Flossmoor Road, carrying signs with slogans such as “It shouldn’t have to happen to you to matter to[Read More…]
District 161 approves two new special ed teachers to help reduce service load
The District 161 school board agreed Feb. 10 to hire two special education teachers to improve special education services at Heather Hill and Western Avenue schools. Large class sizes are making it difficult for staff to meet the needs of these students. Jackie Janicke, director of special education, told the[Read More…]
H-F student project wins top honor in Silent Film Festival
An entry by Homewood-Flossmoor High School students was selected a top entry in the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival for “The Silence Between Us.” The film is the work of seniors Anthony Reynoso, Aidan Klauk and Charlie Wachtel. It was selected from 12 entries representing high schools across the[Read More…]
Kickert School Bus Company sold to First Student
Kickert School Bus Company, a subsidiary of Cook-Illinois Corporation, has been sold to First Student, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickert has contracts for service with Homewood District 153, Flossmoor District 161 and Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233. “We are excited to welcome the Cook-Illinois Corporation to the First Student family,”[Read More…]
Smith to step down as Flossmoor District 161 superintendent after nine years
After nine years leading Flossmoor School District 161, Superintendent Dana Smith announced he will step down at the end of the school year. Smith made the announcement at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10, telling board members he has accepted a superintendent position with Community Consolidated School District[Read More…]
H-F High extends contract for Discover U program
The District 233 school board approved Round 2 of You Matter 2’s Discover U program for Homewood-Flossmoor High School students. The board initiated the program in the fall semester as a college and career readiness program. The school board renewed the program at the Jan. 20 meeting awarding You Matter[Read More…]


